| Howard Garrett | |
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Rescued pets Hannah,Tater(held),Carmen |
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| Born | April 17 1947 Pittsburg, TX |
Howard Garrett, known as "the Dirt Doctor" (born 1947) is a controversial radio talk show host and a leader of the Organic movement. He is a landscape architect, health activist, arborist, newspaper columnist and organic activist living in Dallas, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Park Administration and Landscape Architecture from Texas Tech University in 1969. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Garrett worked at Club Corporation of America where he was a laborer and assistant golf course superintendent.
Garrett promotes natural organic programs and products. He opposes the use of toxic chemicals in lawn products and pest control, as well as criticizing some organic products that he believes do not work. He thinks that homeowners, nurseries and landscape companies under-estimate the dangers of non-organic solutions, and consults with commercial properties wanting to convert to organic techniques.
He has written about the plant-derived insecticide Pyrethrum, which is made from the painted daisy (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium or Chrysanthemum coccineum that contain pyrethrin organic compounds which are potent natural insecticides.) One of the common extra ingredients is PBO, which is a synthetic synergist that gives the basic insecticide more killing power. Garrett agrees with the viewpoint of the Journal of Pesticide Reform, which says that in laboratory tests, insecticides made from pyrethrum have: caused tumors in animals; increased the risk of leukemia; disrupted the normal function of sex steroids; and triggered allergic reactions including heart attack and asthma.[1]
Texas A&M plant expert Dr. Steven W. George, an associate professor and horticulturist in A&M's Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Dallas, and Dallas radio garden show host Neil Sperry have been tough critics of Garrett's organic approach.
Garrett has been the topic in numerous magazines and articles.[2]
Garrett runs a website giving information about his approach,[3] and sends out a weekly newsletter to an audience of over 85,000.
Contents |
Howard Garrett
The Dirt Doctor’s Guide to Organic Gardening 1995
Plants of the Metroplex (Revised) April 1998
Texas Bug Book March 1999
Texas Herb Book January 2001
Garrett, H. (2004-01-01). Texas Gardening the Natural Way: The Complete Handbook. ISBN 9780292705425.
Plants for Houston and the Gulf Coast March 2008
Howard Garrett’s Texas Organic Gardening June 1998
Organic Vegetable & Edible Landscaping October 1998
Texas Tree Book October 2002
Organic Manual'' January, 2002 Organic Manual (new and revised) March 2008
Texas Organic Gardening Book